Chapter 7 | Chapter 13 | |
---|---|---|
Filing fees | $338 | $313 |
Attorney fees* | $500 - $3,500 | $1,500 - $6,000 |
Total | $838 - $3,838 | $1,813 - $6,313 |
“ Low Cost Bankruptcy+Quality!”
The cost of hiring a bankruptcy attorney varies widely based on your location’s market rate and the complexity of your case. In general, costs ranging from $500 to $3,500 are considered typical for Chapter 7.
How much does it cost to file bankruptcy? Sadly, there is no easy answer. Though the expense of filing a petition to the court is fixed, what you’l...
Those are just averages, and fees have likely increased since the survey was conducted. In Chapter 13 cases, judges will review attorneys’ fees unl...
One small fee that you mustn’t forget covers credit counseling. Completion of two credit counseling courses is required for petitioners in both Cha...
Although everyone who files for bankruptcy protection has unmanageable debts, some applicants are worse off than others. Be sure to fully document...
Filing for bankruptcy will cost you even though you’re in no position to pay. Yes, in perhaps the ultimate Catch-22, you’ll need money to let your...
If you decide to hire a bankruptcy attorney who charges by the hour, you will probably be asked to pay a retainer fee, which is similar to a down payment. You'll then receive monthly bills that must be paid promptly.
Lawyers who handle fairly routine matters, such as writing a will or filing bankruptcies, may offer their services for a flat fee. The flat fee may not be all-inclusive, meaning you may still have to pay court fees and other related costs.
There are several questions you may have to ask to determine exactly how much it will cost to hire the bankruptcy attorney. Here are some questions that should help:
On average, filing bankruptcy costs between $1,500 and $4,000 in court filing fees and attorney fees. Learn more about the cost to file bankruptcy and how to pay for it.
The Martindale-Nolo study showed an average of $3,000 for Chapter 13 cases, with ranges from from $2,500 to $5,000. Chapter 13 fees are often governed by the bankruptcy court in the particular district so fees vary widely from district to district.
Factors that can add to fees include: Filing for a business bankruptcy as well as a personal one. Whether you are filing jointly with a spouse. You have multiple sources of income. You have non-exempt assets. You have numerous assets or unusual assets.
If creditors challenge your financial statements and allege fraud, having an attorney able to navigate a complex case would benefit you. The same would be true for cases springing from medical debt, a fairly common culprit in bankruptcy filings.
Though a successful Chapter 7 petition will discharge your debts, it will remain on your credit report for as long as 10 years , affecting your ability to borrow.
In Chapter 13 cases, judges will review attorneys’ fees unless they fall below a so-called “no-look” amount, which is a baseline considered reasonable in the jurisdiction where the case is filed. But in general, it’s a good idea to call or meet with several attorneys before choosing one to represent you.
Chapter 7 fees generally range from a low of $1,000 to high of $1,750. Of course every case is different, and a number of factors can affect the cost of your case.
The role of an attorney in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy is significantly more involved than his role played in a Chapter 7 bankruptcy.
The cost of a Chapter 13 bankruptcy attorney varies geographically, but the typical fee is between $2200 and $3200 for the 3-5 years that the attorney will be representing you.
It would have been so simple if all the attorneys charged the same for the chapter 7 bankruptcy case but that does not happen. For Chapter 7 case, people usually pay from $500 to $2200 though mostly he fees fall within $1200 -$1500. As the fees vary, you will have to call several attorneys in your area for comparing prices.
When you have to choose the legal services, the cheaper services may be best or may not be which depends on your situation. There are different factors which affect the charges of the attorney for preparing your chapter 7 bankruptcy petition. For instance, the complexity and where you file the case have a significant impact on your cost of filing.
Some of the bankruptcy chapters are very complicated to file as compared to others. As they require more work so they also cost more. Chapter 11 cases are the labor-intensive bankruptcies. The business which wants to reduce its debt so that it can continue operating so is provided the chance to do so when this chapter is filed.
In some of the states, the attorneys charge higher for the same service. So, where you live is an important factor for charging. For example, Bankruptcy attorneys in New Hampshire, Maine, and Nevada, and, for instance, charge considerably more than other lawyers in other states.
There is variation in the complexity in chapter 7 cases which depends on the facts in your situation particularly. If you are having a simple case like you have one job, no assets except a car and five credit card debts, and some household belongings, then your lawyer will charge less than average.
The court just doesn’t want people filing bankruptcy to charge too much for lawyer’s fees. In order to prevent this from happening, lawyers must report the percentage of fees they charge clients on a form of bankruptcy called “Disclosure of Compensation.” The trustee is responsible for evaluating the amount.
You must be conscious that some insolvency providers are making money by filing as many bankruptcy petitions as possible. Law firms giving this sort of service don’t always have the time to respond to all of your queries or to give your case the personal attention it deserves.
Anyone who is choosing to file bankruptcy must pay a filing fee. If you’re filing Chapter 7, you will need to pay $335. If you’re filing Chapter 13, the fees will run you $310. You could potentially incur additional fees around $20 to $50, depending on the trustee and their policies.
If you choose to file bankruptcy, a financial management course will be a requirement, along with credit counseling. These courses can cost up to $100, depending on the service provider.
When you file Chapter 7 bankruptcy with a lawyer, you can expect to pay anywhere from $1,500 and $3,500. The total cost will depend on where you live and the complexity of your case. The average Chapter 13 bankruptcy costs anywhere from $3,000 to $5,000. You can expect extra fees to be included for complexity and location.